ringring

oops double post

Edited by ringring on Sep 15, 2004 at 03:04 PM

I respectfully disagree.

High-end GAP denim is excellent quality and at an excellent price. They achieve this by having huge quantities compared to small designer companies. And perhaps having lower margins on their high-end stuff to keep it in line with the rest of the collections. - Some of the time, GAP will use the exact same denim as "Premium Denim Brands" that charge 3-4 times the price. (For example Kurabo supply GAP as well as Premium denim brands)

Lower end GAP denim is OK too. Much better than denim used by many fashion companies.

Just because a denim is not made in Japan (or Italy) does not make it inferior. Many companies such as Kurabo have now set up denim mills in china. The quality is the same as making it in Japan or Italy. They use the same raw cotton (usually top grade American quality), same dyestuffs (often supplied direct by European chemical companies like Henkel) and the same weaving machinery. Usually sourced from Japan, Belgium, Germany and Italy. Many chinese mills will now only weave Ring-Ring, multiple cold, rope dyed denims. Top quality. The only difference is the price of land and manpower.

So you have the same raw materials, same machinery, same know-how in China as Japan. So where exactly is the difference?

As far as I can see, it's just styling and washing and 'brand value'.

The next difference is in washing. China, due to the amount of production and information flooding in, is rapidly catching up with 'prestige' european laundries like Martelli. The difference is already minimal, with only real denim afficionados seeing any difference.

Turkish denim and washing is also now very high-end and priced very well against Japanese, Italian and US homegrown denims and laundries.

Edited by ringring on Dec 18, 2004 at 08:28 AM

Edited by ringring on Jun 12, 2006 at 11:56 PM

In terms of construction, raw materials and dyestuffs there's no difference between a pair of GAP selvage jeans and any of the $150-250 jeans out there.

Extra price is what you pay for the 'value' of the label, style and sophistication of the washing.

Edited by ringring on Sep 14, 2004 at 06:05 AM

Thanks a lot for thr info. I'll check out Jones- man, they are pricey even for selvedge.

Looking for more info on PRPS:

General info - history?

Do they have a website?

Where to get in in London (apart from the few bits they had in Duffer)?

Thanks